Exercising apparatus



Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,417

J. BENNIGER EXERC ISING APPARATUS ile 0st: 15. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NV EN TOIL -70AM flaw/65 Y .1 M v A TORNEYS Nov. 22, 1927.

J. BENNIGER EXERCISING APPARATUS I Filed on. 15. 1925 a Sheets-Sheet vIN VEN TOR. ]0/m/ BMW/65R,

Nov. 22, 1927.

1,650,417 J. BENNIGER EXERCIS ING APPARATUS iled 0st: 15. 1925 3Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. J'o/w EE/Ml/GER.

Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BENNIGER, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 ALI'REsonnonnna, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

EXERCISING APPARATUS.

Application flled october 13, 1925. I Serial No. 62,257.

My invention relates to a new and useful exercising apparatus forexercising the human body, and it relates more particularly to a form'ofexercising apparatus adapted to be used by repeatedly pulling upon apair of handles carried by such apparatus, either in the seated orin thestanding position.

My invention further relates to a novel exercising apparatus, in which,the force to be exerted by the person exercising maybe regulated oradjusted and wherein, such force is visually indicated with-eachoperative stroke of the apparatus; a

With the above ends in view, my invention consists of an outerstationary housing mounted upon suitable supports, an inner pendantcasing pivotally mounted in said stationary housing having a centralshaft, a pair of drums rotatably mounted upon said shaft within saidpendant casing, each of said drums having wound about it a suitable ropeor cord extending to the exterior of the apparatus, carrying suitablehandles and each of said drums also having a brake band surrounding itfor the purpose of applying the desired resistance.

My invention further consists of suitable means intermediate saidstationary housing and said pendant casing within the same, foradjusting the amount of swinging move ment of said inner casing whensaid ropes are unwound from said drums-by the pull exerted upon saidhandles, thereby regulating the force necessary to pull said handles inunwinding said ropes from-the corresponding drums.

My invention further consists of a suitable graduated dial carried bythe front of said stationary housing and a suitable pointer, and meansintermediate said pointer and said pendant inner casing, whereby saidpointer will indicate upon said dial the amount of the swinging movementof inner pendant casing andhence, the force with which said ropes arebeing unwound.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in theaccompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred byme, since they will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results,although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities ofwhich my invention consists can be variously arranged and organizedandthat my invention is not limit suitable horizontal planks in the form ofa rowing machine.

Figure 2 represents a plan view of the same.

Figure 3 represents a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 represents a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 represents a front elevation of the indicator dial on aslightly reduced scale.

Figure 6 represents a section on line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 represents a rear elevation of my novel exercising apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicatelike parts, 1 and 2 designate a pair of parallel wooden plankspositioned hprizontally and preferably placed upon the fioor in the formof a rowing machine or the like, upon which may be mounted my novelapparatus 3 and a pair of suitable rests or suitable braces 4 and 5respectively, as well as a suitable seat, not shown'in the drawings, sothat the handles 6 and 7 of my novel exercising apparatus may be drawnforward in the direction of the arrow 8, shown in Figure 2, while aperson is in the seated position upon such seat with the feet abuttingsaid suitable braces 4 and 5, so as to simulate the operation orexercise of a rowing machine.

lVhile in the particular illustration shown in the drawingsmy novelexercising apparatus is shown applied, more particularly, to a rowingmachine, yet it is notconfined to such application alone, as it ispossible to mount such apparatus either upon the floor or the wallandexercise therewith in the seated or standing position as may bedesirable. The apparatus 3 is composed of an outer stationary housingand support 9, of substantially cylindrical shape, having the curved orcylindrical wall portion 10 and the two side plates 11 and 12respectively, as well as the front projecting portion 13 having asubstantially upright face 14. Each of the side walls 11 and 12 of saidstationary outer housing 9 carries a horizontal side flange 15 by meansof which, it is secured and supported by the suitable angle irons 16which are in turn secured to the horizontal planks land 2 by suitablefastening devices 17. p

The inner pendant casing 18 is composed of the substantially cylindricalshell 19 and shell 19 thereof, said pivot bolt 25, passing through saidlugs 26, as well as the end walls 11 and 12 of said stationary housing9.

Upon the axial bolt 22, there are mounted the two similarrotary members27 and 28 having the corresponding outer brake drums 29 and 30 and thecorresponding inner rope drums 31 and 32, said rope drums having theirperipheral edges in close proximity to each other but separated by anappreciable space, as shown at 33.

Within each of the brake drums 29 and 30 there is mounted, andoperatively interposed vbetween said brake drums and the inwardlyextending sleeves or bosses 34 and 35 formed integral with the endplates 20 and 21 re.

spectively, a pair of corresponding flat coiled spiral springs 36 and37; the inner and outer ends 38 and 39 respectively of each of saidsprings, being hooked and secured in corresponding slots 40 and 41 inthe sleeves 34 and 35 in the brake drums 29 and 30 respectively- Thus,the coiled springs 36 and 37 will tend to revolve the rotaryelements 27and 28 and the corresponding brake drums 29 and 30 and the rope drums 31and 32 in the direction of the arrow 42, shown particularly in Figures1, 3 and 4. i

. Upon each of the rope drums 31 and 32 there is wound, in helicalformation, a pair of flexible ropes, cables, cords or chains 43 and 44respectively, having their inner ends 45 and 46 fixed to said rope drumsin suitable openings 47 and 48 respectively, having their outer endspassing through suitable corresponding slots or openings 49 in thecylindrical shell 19 of the pendant inner casing 18 in the manner shownparticularly in Figure 3. Thus, upon drawing forward the handles 6 and7, in the direction .of the arrow 8, which are secured to the outer endsof the ropes 43 and 44 respectively, said ropes 43 and 44 will beunwound from said rope drums 31 and 32, in the direction of the arrow49, thereby revolving the rotary members 27 and 28 as well. as the brakedrums 29 and 30 against the force of the coiled springs 36 and 37. Alsoupon releasing the handles 6 and 7, the coiled springs 36 and 37 willrevolve the rotar members 27 and 28 in the opposite direction, that is,in the direction of the arrow 42, thereby to rewind the ropes upon theirrespective rope drums.

In order to retard the unwinding of the ropes 43 and 44 in the directionof the arrow 49, that is, to increase the pulling force necessary uponsaid handles 6 and 7, in the direction of the arrow 8, to unwind thesame, there are provided a corresponding pair of brake bands 50 and 51,substantially encircling the corresponding brake drums 29 and 30 andhaving their inner ends permanently secured to the upper portion of theinner surface of the cylindrical shell 19 of the inner pendant casing18, by means of the rivets or other fastening means 52 and having theirouter ends looped about the arms 55 and 56 of a yoke member 57 andsecured thereto by corresponding rivets or other fastening means 58. Theyoke member 57 having the two horizontal arms 55 and 56, is providedwitha hollow cylindrical cap portion 59 which fits over a correspondingupright hollow cylindrical projection 60, carried by, or formed integralwith, the outer stationary housing 9 of my novel apparatus and restsupon suitable helical compression springs 61 within said hollowcylindrical portion which is operatively interposed between the upperwall 62 of the cap portion 59 of said yoke member 57, and the bottom 63of said projection 60, in such a manner as yieldably to support saidyoke member 57 and hence, yieldably to support the outer ends 53 and 54of said two brake bands 50 and 51 respectively. Thus, upon exertingapulling force upon the handles 6 and 7 and hence, upon the ropes 43 and44, in anattempt to draw the same outwardly and to unwind the same fromthe corresponding rope drums, the pendant inner casing 18, pivotedat 25will be swung about said pivot in the direction of the arrow 64, beingrestrained only by the brake bands 50 and '51 which surround the brakedrums 29 and 30 respectively. Since the outer or free ends of the brakebands 50 and 51 are held in a yieldable manner by the spring 61, saidbands'will be tightened upon the corresponding brake drums with a forceproportionate to the amount of deflection of said inner pendant casing18, in the direction of the arrow 64.

Hence, in order to adjust and regulate the pulling force necessary uponthe handles 6 and 7 to unwind the ropes 43 and 44. from thecorresponding drulns, and to maintain such force constantly, there isprovided an adjusting or set screw 65 passing through a suitable looseopening 67 in the outer stationary housing 9, of my novel apparatus, andhaving its lower end 66 fixed tothe cylindrical shell 19 of theinnerpendant casing 18. The adjusting nut wheel .68 is threaded onto thethreaded portion of the screw 65 and a suitable helical compressionspring 69 is operatively interposed between said wheel 68 andthe'stationary outer housing '9 in a manner shown particularly inFigures 3 and 6. To lessen or decrease the pulling force upon thehandles 6 and 7 required to unwind the ropes 43 and 44, it is merelynecessary to lower the adjusting wheel 68, thereby tightening the spring69 surroundingthe screw 65 and thereby limiting the swinging movement ofthe inner pendant casing 18 about the pivot 25, in the direction of thearrow 64 when a pulling force is exerted upon the ropes 43 and 44. Bythus limiting the displacement of said innerpendant casing 18, thebraking action of the brake bands 50 and 51 is also limited and hence.an adjustment of the pulling force is thus obtained.

In order to indicate visually, at all times, the force with which thehandles 6 and 7 are beingipulled in the direction of the arrow 8, thereis provided upon the front face 14 of the stationary housing 9. asuitable graduated dial 70, over which is adapted to travel the pointer71 carried by the sleeve 7 2 which is rotatably mounted in said frontwall 14. The flat helical strip 7 3 is pivotally secured to thecylindrical shell 19 of the inner pendant casing 18, at a point 74. Thesleeve 72 is provided with a corresponding slot extending therethrough,adapted to receive a flat helical strip 73 and adapted to be revolvedthereby, when said strip is forced therethrough longitudinally. Hence,when ever the inner pendant casing 18 is displaced from its normalposition, that is, whenever it is swung about the pivot 25 in the direction of the arrow 64, by the pulling force upon the handles 6 and 7. thepointer 71 will be moved across the dial an amount pro-- port-ionate tothe amount of displacement of the inner pendant casing 18 and hence anamount proportionate to said pulling force, since the braking action ofthe brake bands 50 and 51, against which said pulling force must act isalso proportionate to said displacement or swinging of said innerpendant casing 18 about said pivot Thus, there maintained in view, atall times, a visual indication of the force with which said handles 6and 7 are pulled, which force, may be increased or decreased, asmentioned hereinbefore, by raising or lowering the adjusting wheel 68. a

In order to guide the ropes 43 and 44, during the winding and unwindingof the same around the rope drums 81 and 82, there are provided acorresponding pair of guide arms 75 and 76 pivotally secured to thebifurcated brackets 77 and 78 respectively by means of the pivot bolts79 and 80, which brackets 77 and 78,. are in turn pivotally secured tosaid cylindrical shell 19 of the pendant inner casing 18 by means of thehorizontal pivot bolts 81 and 82, thereby permitting the pivotalmovement of said guide arms 75 and 76 .in both-vertical and horizontalplanes. The brackets 77 and 78 are further provided with the stopprojections 83 which abut against the cylindrical shell 19, thereby tolimit the movement of said brackets about the pivots 81 and 82. Theouter ends of the guide arms 75 and 76 are bifurcated and are providedwith idler guide wheels 84 and respectively, pivotally mountedbetweenthe bifurcated ends thereof about the pivot pins 86 .and 87. The helicaltension spring 88 is interposed between suitable hooks 89 and 90 on thearms 75 and 76 respectively, in order to urge said'two arms towards eachother at all times, thereby more properly to guide said ropes 43 and 44onto the rope drums 31 and 32 respectively.

\Vhile in the foregoing description and accompanying drawingsreferencehas been made to the particular application of my apparat-us to a rowingmachine, parts of which are shown in the drawings, itis to be understoodthat my novel apparatus may be used in a different manner as well, asfor instance, by mounting the same on the wall or floor and byexercising therewith in a seated or standing position.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and usefulexercising apparatus which embodies the features of advantage enumeratedas desirable in the statement of the invention and the abovedescription, and while I have, in the present instance, shown anddescribed a preferred embodiment thereof which will give in practicesatisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that suchembodiment is susceptible of modification in various particulars withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing anyof its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of. the character stated, astationary support, a frame pivotally car ried thereby, a rotary elementrotatably carried by said frame, said rotary element com risin a' ro edrum and a brake drum, a 1 P a brake band about said brake drum havingone end thereof fixed to said frame and having the other end thereofcarried by a suitable support operably positioned with respect to thepivot of said frame.

2. In a device of the character stated, a stationary support, a framework pivotally carriedthereby, a rotary element rotatably mounted insaid frame work, saidrotary element comprising a rope drum and a brakedrum, abrake band about said brake drum having one end thereof fixed tosaid frame work and having the other end thereof carried "by a suitablesupport operably positioned With respect to the pivot of ,said frame, asuitable flexible element wound about said rope drum having one endthere of fixed thereto, and tensioning means intermediate said; rotaryelement and said frame work adapted to'revolve said rotary element so asto wind said flexible element upon said rope drum.

3. In adevice of the character stated, a stationary support, a framework pivotally carried thereby, a rotary element rotatably mounted in.said frame orlgsaid rotary element having a rope drum and a brake drum,a brake band about said brake drum having one end thereof fixed to saidframe 20 Work and. having the other end thereof carried by a suitablesupport operably positioned with respect to the pivot of said frame, asuitable flexible element wound about-said rope drum having one endthereof fixed thereto, tensioning means intermediate said rotary elementand said frame Work adapted to revolve said rotary element so as to Windsaid flexible element upon said rope drum, said flexible element beingadapted to displace said frame work about its pivot,

thereby to tighten said brake band when it is unwound against the forceof said tensioning means and adjustable means operatively engaging saidframe work to limit the displacement thereof about said pivot to anydesired extent. I

4.111 a device of the character stated, a stationary support, a framepivotally carried thereby, a rotary element rotatably carried by saidframe upon an axis substantially parallel to said pivot, said rotaryelement having a rope drum and a brake drum, a brake band about saidbrake drum-having one end thereof fixed to said frame and having theother end thereof carried by a suitable yielding support -operablypositioned with respect to the pivot of said frame.

5. In ardevice of the character stated, a stationary support a frameworkpivotally carried thereby, a rotary element rotatably mounted in saidframe work, upon an axis substantially parallel to said pivot, saidrotary element having a rope drum and a brake drum, a brake band aboutsaid brake drum having one end thereof fixed to said frame work andhaving the other end thereof carried by a suitable yielding supportoperably positioned with respect to the pivot of said frame, a suitableflexible element Wound about said rope drum, and tensioning meansintermediate said rotary element and said frame work adapted to revolvesaid rotary element so as to wind said flexible element upon said ropedrum, said flexible element being adapted to displace said frame workabout its pivot, in a direction away from said yielding brake bandsupport. 6. In a device of the character stated, a stationary support, aframe work pivotally carried thereby, a rotary element rotatably mountedin said frame work, upon an axis substantially parallel to said pivot,said rotary element having a rope drum and a brake. drum, a brake bandabout said brake drum having one end thereof fixed to said frame workand having the other endthereof carried by a suitable yielding supportoperably gaging said frame work torlimit-the displacement thereof aboutsaid pivot to any desired extent. r

7 In exercising apparatus of the character stated, a stationary support,a frame mounted thereon and freely movable with respect thereto, betweensuitable limits, a rotary element rotatably carried by said frame, saidrotary element comprising a rope drum and a brake drum, a brake memberin operative alignment with said brake drum, suitably supported so thata displacement of said movable frame with respect to said stationarysupport will urge said'brake member into operative engagement with saidbrake drum, thereby to effect a braking action upon said rotary element.7 i

8. In exercising apparatus of the charac-' ter stated, a stationarysupport, a frame mounted thereon and freely movable with respectthereto, between suitable limits, a rotary element rotatably carried bysaid frame, said rotary element comprising a rope drum and a brake drum,a brake member in operative alignment with said brake drum, suitablysupported so that a displace ment of said movable frame with respect tosaid stationary support will urge said brake member into operativeengagement with said brake drum, thereby to effect a braking; actionupon said rotary element, and a suit able flexible element wound aboutsaid rope drum having one end thereof fixed thereto and tensioning meansintermediate said rotary element and said frame adapted to revolve saidrotary element so as to wind said flexible element upon said rope drum,said flexible element being adapted to displace said frame with respectto said stationary support, thereby to urge said brake member rotaryelement rotatably carried by said frame, said rotary element comprisinga rope drum and a brake drum, a brake member in operative alignment withsaid brake drum, suitably supported so that a displacement of saidmovable frame with respect to said stationary supportwill urge saidbrake member into operative engagement with said brake drum, thereby toeffect a braking action upon said rotary element, and a suitableflexible element wound about said rope drum having one end thereof fixedthereto, tensioning means intermediate said rotary element and saidframe adapted to revolve said rotary element so as to wind said flexibleele ment upon said rope drum, said flexible element being adapted todisplace said frame with respect to said stationary support, thereby tourge said brake member into operative alignment with said brake drum,while being unwound from said rope drum by pulling the free end thereof,against the force of said tensioning means and adjustable meansoperatively engaging said frame to limit the displacement thereof withrespect to said stationary support, to any desired extent, thereby tolimit the braking action of said brake member and hence, to limit theforce upon said flexible element required to unwind the same from saidrope drum.

10. In exercising apparatusof the character stated, a stationarysupport, a frame mounted thereon and freely movable with respectthereto, between suitable limits, a rotary element rotatably carried bysaid frame, said rotary element comprising a rope drum and a brake drum,a brake member in operative alignment with said brake drum, suitablysupported so that a displacement of said movable frame with respect tosaid stationary support will urge said brake member into operativeengagement with said brake drum, thereby to effect braking action uponsaid rotary element, and a suitable flexible element wound about saidrope drum having one end thereof fixed thereto, tensioning meansintermediate said rotary element and said frame adapted to revolve saidrotary element so as to wind said flexible element upon said rope drum,said flexible element being adapted to displace said frame with respectto said stationary support, thereby to urge said brake member intooperative alignment with said brake drum, while being unwound from saidrope drum by pulling'the free end thereof, against the force of saidtensioning means, adjustable means operatively engaging said frame tolimit the displacement thereof with respect to said stationary support,to any desired extent, thereby to limit the braking action of said brakemember and hence, to limit the force upon said flexible element requiredto unwind the same from saidro'pe drum, and means actuated by saidmovable frame visually to indicate the extent of the displacementthereof from its normal position.

11. In a device of the character stated, a

stationary support, a frame work pivotally carried thereby, a rotaryelement rotatably mounted in said frame Work, said rotary element havinga rope drum and a brake drum, a brake band about said brake drum havingone end thereof fixed to said framework and having the other end thereofcarried by a suitable support, a suitable flexible element wound aboutsaid rope drum having one end thereof fixed thereto, tensioning meansintermediate said rotary element and said frame work adapted to revolvesaid rotary element so as to wind said flexible element upon said ropedrum, said flexible element being adapted to displace said frame workabout its pivot, thereby to tighten said brake band when it is unwoundagainst the force of said tensioning means, adjustable means operativelyengaging said frame workto.

respect to said dial and means operatively.

interposed between said indicator and said frame work adapted to actuatesaid indicator when said frame work is displaced.

12. In a device of the character stated, a stationary housin a pendantcasing pivotally carried there y, a pair of similar rotary elementsrotatably carried by said pendant casing, each of said rotary elementshaving a rope drum and a brake drum, a brake band about each of saidbrake drums having the inner end thereof secured to said pendant casingand having the outer end thereof secured to a resilient support, a pairof flexible elements wound about each of said rope drums and having itsinner ends secured thereto and its outer end extendlng beyond saidpendant casing, a spring operatively interposed between each of saidrotary element and said pendant casing to revolve said rotary elementsso as to wind said brake bands about said brake drums thereby toincrease the force necessary to unreel said flexible elements. y

13. In a device of the character stated, a

stationary housing, a pendant casing pivot- .7 ally carried thereby, apair of similar rotary elements rotatably'carried by said pendantcasing, each of said rotary, elements havingarope drum and a brakedrum-,.;a brake band about each of said brake drums having gthe innerend thereof secured tosaid pendant casing and having the outer end thereof secured to a resilient support, a pair of flexible elements woundabout each or said rope drums and having its inner ends se I curedthereto and its outer end extending beyond said pendant casing, 'a-sprmgoperatively interposed between eachof said rotary elements and saidpendant casing to revolve said rotary elements so as to wind theflexible elements about the corresponding rope drums, whereby the,unreeling of said stationary housing, a pendant casing pivotally carriedthereby, a pair of similar ro- ,0 said rope drum and having its innerends flexible elements by tensionalforce upon the free ends thereof,will displace said pendant casing about said pivot andtighten said brakebands about said brake drums thereby to increase the force necessary tounreel said flexibleelements and an adjusting screw intermediatesaid'stationary housing and said pendant casing to limit the pivotalmoveanentof saidv pendant casing and hence, to limit the braking actionof said brake bands and thus to limit the tensional force required tounreel said flexible elements.

14. In a device of the character stated, a

tary elements rotatably carried by said endant casing, each of saidrotary elements aving a rope drum and a brake drum, a brake band abouteach of said brake drums having the inner end thereof secured to saidpendant casing and having the outer end thereof secured'to a resilientsupport, a air of flexible elements wound about each secured thereto andits outer ends extending beyond said pendant casing, a spring operatively interposed between each of said rotary and said pendant casingtorevolve said rotary elements so as to wind the flexible elements aboutthe corresponding rope drums, whereby the unreeling of said flexibleelements by tensional force upon the free ends thereof, will displacesaid pendant cas ing about said pivot and tighten said brake bands aboutsaid brake drums thereby to.

increase the force necessaryv to unreel said flexible means, a springinterposed between said stationary housin and said pendant casingyieldably to limit the v pivotal movement of said pendant casing andhence to limit the braking action of said brake bands;

and thus to limit the tensional force required to unreelsaid flexibleelements, and threaded means to adjust the force of said spring.

1 5.Ina device ofthe character stated, a; pivotally supportedpendantcasing, a pair of rotary elements rotatably mounted there in, each ofsaid rotary elements having a rope drum and a brake'drum, a flexibleelementwound about each of said rope drums having one end thereofsecured to the same,

and having a suitable handlesecured to the outer end thereof, pivotallmounted guide arms secured to said pendant, casing and havinganti-friction means adapted to guide said flexible elements, resilientmeans urging rope drum and a brakedrum, a flexible element wound abouteach of said rope drums having one end thereof secured to the same, andhaving a suitable handle secured to the outer end thereof, pivotallymounted guide.

arms secured to said pendant casing and having anti-friction meansadapted to guide said flexible elements, res lient means urging saidguide arms towards each other,a spring" intermediatereach of said rotaryelements and said pendant casing adapted to reel said flexible elementsonto the corresponding rope drums, a brake band about each of said brakedrums having its inner end secured to said pendant casing and having itsouter end secured to a resilient support, and ad:

justable means operatively engaging said pendant casing to limit thepivotal movement thereof about said pivotal support of said pendantcasing.

JOHN BENNIGER.

